Traditional and transgenic strategies for controlling tomato-infecting begomoviruses

Abstract

Viruses of to the family Geminiviridae are considered some of the most important pathogens in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Members of one Geminiviridae genus, Begomovirus, have been causing severe losses, particularly in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) production in the Americas and the Caribbean. Several new begomoviruses have been reported in the region and, at least one, Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), has been brought in from the Old World via infected transplants. In addition, the recombination events that are playing an important role in Begomovirus diversity have increased the complexity of their control. This scenario has led to the search for control measures that go beyond traditional host genetic resistance, chemical controls and cultural practices. In this review, besides the recommended classical control measures, transgenic approaches will be discussed, as well as the mechanisms involved in their successful control of viruses.

Tomato Chlorotic Mottle Virus Is a Target of RNA Silencing but the Presence of Specific Short Interfering RNAs Does Not Guarantee Resistance in Transgenic Plants

“…Indeed, harnessing this RNA silencing by generating siRNA-producing transgenic plants has proven to be a potent means to engineer resistance to RNA viruses (7,28,54,58). Also, for DNA viruses such as geminiviruses, biotechnological approaches using transgenic plants expressing sense and antisense RNA have been used successfully (26,38).…”